Summerhill has a vibrant music department going alongside the school’s natural music culture. Lessons are offered in guitar, bass, drums, piano, keyboard, singing, and ukulele. In recent history teachers have been brought in for saxophone, trumpet and violin, cello and double bass too, and we try our best to support pupils’ desires to explore any other instrument no matter how exotic!

Aside from instrumental studies, we also offer lessons in music technology, recording, traditional theory, modern theory, improvisation, jamming and composition. 

A student’s development is led primarily by them, moving from general music lessons, as they get older, into specific one-to-ones on various instruments or computer music production. For the older kids we support graded qualifications.

The school has numerous pianos dotted around the school, also a fully equipped recording studio with a vocal booth, live room and control room,  as well as an additional practice room with an array of instruments for kids to use. 

Music is a key part of life at Summerhill, with almost all students engaged in it at some time. Public performances happen regularly on the school calendar and many pursue music to a higher level after Summerhill, with recent graduates performing in touring bands and working at Abbey Road studios!